Of course, Vox, the REAL question is...
If I continue to use Heinz ketchup, am I betraying my libertarian ideals?
Although, since I have not yet switched cards at the courthouse, as a Republican,
I should probably be using Hunts.
But it's just not as good.
It's all a choice of "good" vs "adequate".
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Monday, April 19, 2004
Instant Answers
I came to Christ in the '70s on the twin waves of "the Late Great Planet Earth" and the Charismatic Movement. Interesting that much in the two waves are doctrinally incompatible. Early on I began to view with interest the shortcuts people sought to fast track them to discipleship and spirituality. Ern Baxter spoke of people practicing "Bible Promise Card Ouija Board". You know those plastic loaves of bread with colored cards in the top with Bible verses printed on 'em. Grandma and hosts of maiden aunts had them on the kitchen table. You pick a card, and that is your inspiration of the day.
Some folks decided that it was a neat way to "get guidance", so they'd pick a card...any card, and Hey Presto, it's God's message to YOU today! One guy got a loaf with an out-of-the-ordinary selection of verses. He picked his verse for the day:
Matthew 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Shaken, he decided a do-over was in order, and pulled
Luke 10:37 Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Hmmmmmmm...Instant guidance.
Now, I do not dispute that God can pin the tail on our donkey with a single verse, but by and large, proof-texting, the practice of pulling individual verses out to prove our particular opinion, is a dangerous and deceptive habit. The normative method is discipleship in the Word.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ("Study" here being King James for "apply yourself") The book of Acts is a powerful narrative, but it is not the "three miracles before breakfast" story that many portray it to be.
When the disciples in Jerusalem met from house to house, it wasn't for the Thursday night Cough and Spew deliverance meeting, nor to determine their spiritual gifts by studying their personality types. The disciples "continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts 2:42 They were learning the Gospel, and practicing it day-to-day in the community of other believers. Not alone over the kitchen table pulling cards 'til they got the right answer.
Many believers today seem more intent on spiritual masturbation...solitary forays into spiritual self-gratification, rather than active, vital learning to live the faith with others. Fellowship offers a failsafe mechanism against error.
1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Interestingly, our society militates against our getting together outside of "church-time" to encourage each other, by all the busy-ness we are forced to endure (much to feed the tax monster). I often work long, late hours at my shop. It is a JOY when a brother or sister comes by to say "Hi!", and we share a bit of the Word relevant to what's goin' on. I hunger for that. Here of late, Rush and Co. are being replaced by New Testament CDs as I print. Massive quantities of the Word are helpful inoculants against the predations of the world. Now, I am not becoming a monk or anything. I play games, watch movies, laugh with my wife and kids. But it is all empty without the Word of God.
I'm SO tired of empty.
I came to Christ in the '70s on the twin waves of "the Late Great Planet Earth" and the Charismatic Movement. Interesting that much in the two waves are doctrinally incompatible. Early on I began to view with interest the shortcuts people sought to fast track them to discipleship and spirituality. Ern Baxter spoke of people practicing "Bible Promise Card Ouija Board". You know those plastic loaves of bread with colored cards in the top with Bible verses printed on 'em. Grandma and hosts of maiden aunts had them on the kitchen table. You pick a card, and that is your inspiration of the day.
Some folks decided that it was a neat way to "get guidance", so they'd pick a card...any card, and Hey Presto, it's God's message to YOU today! One guy got a loaf with an out-of-the-ordinary selection of verses. He picked his verse for the day:
Matthew 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Shaken, he decided a do-over was in order, and pulled
Luke 10:37 Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Hmmmmmmm...Instant guidance.
Now, I do not dispute that God can pin the tail on our donkey with a single verse, but by and large, proof-texting, the practice of pulling individual verses out to prove our particular opinion, is a dangerous and deceptive habit. The normative method is discipleship in the Word.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ("Study" here being King James for "apply yourself") The book of Acts is a powerful narrative, but it is not the "three miracles before breakfast" story that many portray it to be.
When the disciples in Jerusalem met from house to house, it wasn't for the Thursday night Cough and Spew deliverance meeting, nor to determine their spiritual gifts by studying their personality types. The disciples "continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts 2:42 They were learning the Gospel, and practicing it day-to-day in the community of other believers. Not alone over the kitchen table pulling cards 'til they got the right answer.
Many believers today seem more intent on spiritual masturbation...solitary forays into spiritual self-gratification, rather than active, vital learning to live the faith with others. Fellowship offers a failsafe mechanism against error.
1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Interestingly, our society militates against our getting together outside of "church-time" to encourage each other, by all the busy-ness we are forced to endure (much to feed the tax monster). I often work long, late hours at my shop. It is a JOY when a brother or sister comes by to say "Hi!", and we share a bit of the Word relevant to what's goin' on. I hunger for that. Here of late, Rush and Co. are being replaced by New Testament CDs as I print. Massive quantities of the Word are helpful inoculants against the predations of the world. Now, I am not becoming a monk or anything. I play games, watch movies, laugh with my wife and kids. But it is all empty without the Word of God.
I'm SO tired of empty.
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Sweet Sarah, and others...I just want you to know that the mmmmm...flavor of the blogs at the end of March do not reflect my normal mode of expression (the SDA entry, as well as the Carwash blog).
I was tweaked by the nastiness of what I read/ heard and knew of no other way to adequately express my
upsetment than by accurate reportage of terms used. I must admit that the image of Angela Anaconda
berating Ninnypoo thusly in an ad DID give me a giggle.
Anyway I want my Gentle Readers to know that cayenne pepper is not often used in my homilies.
The habanero of satire, on the other hand...
I was tweaked by the nastiness of what I read/ heard and knew of no other way to adequately express my
upsetment than by accurate reportage of terms used. I must admit that the image of Angela Anaconda
berating Ninnypoo thusly in an ad DID give me a giggle.
Anyway I want my Gentle Readers to know that cayenne pepper is not often used in my homilies.
The habanero of satire, on the other hand...
He's BA-A-ACK
Gentle readers, I apologize for abandoning you. We have just gone through Perdition Month.
This is MY "Christmas season", business-wise. As screenprinters, we are called upon to print ball uniforms for
Summer league play. Just when you think the world may be sane after all, Ball Season happens.
On top of which we had two conventions on the same weekend: an anime Con in Nashville (MTAC)
MTAC Go! April 1st - 3rd in Nashville, Tennessee
and CoastCon in Biloxi, MS.
CoastCon - Home Page
Momoovark (My sweet wife) and Loen our 13-year-old went to MTAC, whilst Riatsila and I drove a rented Tahoe to CoastCon. (We OWNED I-59. the gas stations OWNED us. Dear friends at Enter*rise...when I say "minivan", I mean minivan.) Oh, and the names are anagrams...the kids are not New Age freakchildren.
M & L drove the Aardvan...which died just over halfway to Nashville. Gearshift cable snapped.
Her brother rescued her, as we were past Birmingham on our travels. She made it, and we have another satisfied Convention t-shirt customer. Thanks M&L.
CoastCon did not go as well for us, but we surely did better than if we'd stayed at home watching the "Green Acres" marathon all weekend.
Oh, and GG goon stayed and minded the shop. Attaboy goon!
(Please include GG in your prayers...he is having numerous tactical assults from the enemy,
including back and sciatic nerve problems.)
Dealing with insane t-ball families just adds to the local color. Has ever a 4-year old actually gone up to his parental units and uttered the words (in a pwecious Baby Snooks voice):
"MommyDaddy, I wanna pway t-ball this summer."
No, I didn't think so...
Summer ball leagues (beyond t-ball) for the little ones are a bit troubling, too.
Here is the definition of FUN: putting small children into HOT polyester uniforms, in molded, plastic-foam-padded helmets, in the Summer sun, while grownups behind chain-link fencing yell at them, and curse the umps. Ahhh, sportsmanship....
Anyway, the Aardvark returneth, with more
HARROWING TALE$ OF COMMERCE!
Gentle readers, I apologize for abandoning you. We have just gone through Perdition Month.
This is MY "Christmas season", business-wise. As screenprinters, we are called upon to print ball uniforms for
Summer league play. Just when you think the world may be sane after all, Ball Season happens.
On top of which we had two conventions on the same weekend: an anime Con in Nashville (MTAC)
MTAC Go! April 1st - 3rd in Nashville, Tennessee
and CoastCon in Biloxi, MS.
CoastCon - Home Page
Momoovark (My sweet wife) and Loen our 13-year-old went to MTAC, whilst Riatsila and I drove a rented Tahoe to CoastCon. (We OWNED I-59. the gas stations OWNED us. Dear friends at Enter*rise...when I say "minivan", I mean minivan.) Oh, and the names are anagrams...the kids are not New Age freakchildren.
M & L drove the Aardvan...which died just over halfway to Nashville. Gearshift cable snapped.
Her brother rescued her, as we were past Birmingham on our travels. She made it, and we have another satisfied Convention t-shirt customer. Thanks M&L.
CoastCon did not go as well for us, but we surely did better than if we'd stayed at home watching the "Green Acres" marathon all weekend.
Oh, and GG goon stayed and minded the shop. Attaboy goon!
(Please include GG in your prayers...he is having numerous tactical assults from the enemy,
including back and sciatic nerve problems.)
Dealing with insane t-ball families just adds to the local color. Has ever a 4-year old actually gone up to his parental units and uttered the words (in a pwecious Baby Snooks voice):
"MommyDaddy, I wanna pway t-ball this summer."
No, I didn't think so...
Summer ball leagues (beyond t-ball) for the little ones are a bit troubling, too.
Here is the definition of FUN: putting small children into HOT polyester uniforms, in molded, plastic-foam-padded helmets, in the Summer sun, while grownups behind chain-link fencing yell at them, and curse the umps. Ahhh, sportsmanship....
Anyway, the Aardvark returneth, with more
HARROWING TALE$ OF COMMERCE!
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